Best engine for intended purpose

[Tncdrew]

I went with the 3.6, 8 speed auto, E-torque and 4.56 gears. I am satisfied with its performance 95% of the time. If the 392 were not an additional $25k….. Maybe I would have considered it.

All of the pollution control crap on the diesel makes it a non starter for me. I would have loved it.

Same combo here...
3.6L, 8 spd, e-torque, 4.56 gears, 2 door.
For my use, it's perfect! With the lighter 2dr, gearing & 34" tires, it's quite peppy.
Could it use a bit more torque for low speed crawling? Sure, but I don't do a lot of that these days.

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[Ratbert]

Ok. Which engine is best for off-roading? What is your experience with ALL of the available power plants? Why do you argue so hard against the 3.6?

OP clearly stated in the TITLE as well. Isn’t the Title of a post where you give direction of a post?

You’ve offered nothing But arguments. No insight, No personal experiences, nothing.

I've had the 3.6 and I've had the 3.0. There's a night and day difference between the two on and off road (obviously with the insane torque of the 3.0 being significantly better, especially off road), but mine aren't really comparable.

My experience is at altitude where turbos are also extremely beneficial. OP is in Phoenix, so that's another reason I didn't give personal experience. You did that same analysis prior to posting about how well the 3.6 works in your work van, right? You read the question asked (explicitly about off road) and considered the context of the OP's location, right?

Back on topic: Please tell us how the 3.6 is the best engine for off roading. Fairly smooth power delivery is about the only area where it seems to begin to compete.

 

[rickinAZ]

There is one recurring theme that we can all agree to: the 3.8 liter engine, that immediately preceded the Pentastar, was a disaster. Unfortunately, I lived at 8,200' in the Colorado Rockies when I owned one. Between the low output of the engine and the effect of altitude (25% loss), it was LETHARGIC at best.

The one saving grace was the 2008s (which I had) came with a lifetime powertrain warranty.

 

[Mudduck]

I've had the 3.6 and I've had the 3.0. There's a night and day difference between the two on and off road (obviously with the insane torque of the 3.0 being significantly better, especially off road), but mine aren't really comparable. Good to know! You have limited experience with the other power plants and limited areas of travel To ”at altitude”. I regularly drive my JL3.6, a JL2.0, previous lease on a 4XE, and owned a tuned/deleted Ram with the 3.0. None of them compare to a deleted and tuned 3.0, but that’s not common either. (I know, by your logic “its a truck its not the same so it doesn’t count”) even though it was 4x4 and went off road. the JLURD isn’t really all that common in comparison to the number of 2.0 and 3.6 wrangler, neither is the 392.

My experience is at altitude where turbos are also extremely beneficial. OP is in Phoenix, so that's another reason I didn't give personal experience. You did that same analysis prior to posting about how well the 3.6 works in your work van, right? In my work van(s) and in 2 of my wranglers: current and past wrangler 3.6 combined 83,455 miles. At altitude and sea level. In my vans as well, altitude and sea level, all over the US 48 states. You read the question asked (explicitly about off road) and considered the context of the OP's location, right? Yes I did. And Again, I also read the TITLE of the post. Did I need to specify that I go off road with my 3.6? I could also mention that my dad and I have taken trips out west and he has the 2.0, we swapped out to drive each others to compare, and he likes the 3.6 better as well…… Even off road, as do I.

Back on topic: Please tell us how the 3.6 is the best engine for off roading. Fairly smooth power delivery is about the only area where it seems to begin to compete. indeed smoother power delivery, better immediate low end torque, and the plethora of other information based on my experience and opinion previously posted.

Too, from my experience, the 4XE had better immediate torque than the 3.0. Electric assist makes a huge difference over waiting for a turbo to spool up. (Even at altitude) Im sure you don’t want to talk about that either, as you’ve already dismissed the 4XE previously, based on experience you don’t have with that power plant.

 

[Planotex]

• EcoDiesel for incredible low-end torque.
• 392 if fuel consumption isn't a concern.
• 2.0L if engine sound is irrelevant.
• 3.6L just works.
• As far as I can tell the 4xe doesn't really have an off road advantage.

My wife apparently wants to trade in her AMG GLC43 with a 2-door, so I'll be trying to make that decision myself. Fewer options for a 2-door, of course.

You nailed it with the 2.0...I drove one for a day, have had 3 turbo cars, but this engine sounded like it was working way too hard, annoying to me. I like the 3.6 a lot. No complaints.

 

[rickinAZ]

If Stellantis retuned the Pentastar to produce more low-end torque (foregoing some high-end bhp) it would be a better fit. It's a fairly peaky engine considering the vehicle it's powering.

I owned an H-D with a aggressive cam and it went like jet stink if you wound it out. I had a lower profile cam installed, and it was much more fun to ride; albeit slighty slower.

 

[Jtphoto]

I ordered a 2012 Pentastar before they hit the dealer's floors. When it arrived, compared to my old JK minivan engine, the Pentastar felt like an absolute rocketship. It felt like it had an extra two cylinders.

What’s most unfortunate about that scenario is the pre 3.6L 3.8L engine was a much better motor saddled with a poorly geared 4spd auto or 6 speed manual. Properly geared the 3.8 was every bit as good but with much better longevity.
Consider this: the equivalent gearing to a JK 3.8 4spd w/between 4.10 and 4.56 gears would be the 3.6L 5spd with 3.21 gears. A 3.8 with 5.38 gears equivalent to 3.6 with 4.10 gears. Thats why the 3.6 felt like a rocket ship.

 

[Jtphoto]

If Stellantis retuned the Pentastar to produce more low-end torque (foregoing some high-end bhp) it would be a better fit. It's a fairly peaky engine considering the vehicle it's powering.

I owned an H-D with a aggressive cam and it went like jet stink if you wound it out. I had a lower profile cam installed, and it was much more fun to ride; albeit slighty slower.

That’s why regearing is so beneficial.

 

[Philly_]

There is one recurring theme that we can all agree to: the 3.8 liter engine, that immediately preceded the Pentastar, was a disaster. Unfortunately, I lived at 8,200' in the Colorado Rockies when I owned one. Between the low output of the engine and the effect of altitude (25% loss), it was LETHARGIC at best.

The one saving grace was the 2008s (which I had) came with a lifetime powertrain warranty.

Honestly, I never had a problem with my 3.8L that wasn't my fault (apparently water isn't combustible... only do that once!).

I feel like the biggest issue was the 42RLE transmission that decided to grenade itself at around 80k miles and I had to scrap everything but the housing. It shifted like crap, and had no place in a Jeep with a its 2/10 torque rating as denoted by the '2' in it's name.

With the changeover to the 3.6L they also upgraded the transmission, which in my opinion made the biggest overall difference.

I do agree that the 3.8L was an absolute pig at any altitude, though.

 

[Jtphoto]

Honestly, I never had a problem with my 3.8L that wasn't my fault (apparently water isn't combustible... only do that once!).

I feel like the biggest issue was the 42RLE transmission that decided to grenade itself at around 80k miles and I had to scrap everything but the housing. It shifted like crap, and had no place in a Jeep with a its 2/10 torque rating as denoted by the '2' in it's name.

With the changeover to the 3.6L they also upgraded the transmission, which in my opinion made the biggest overall difference.

I do agree that the 3.8L was an absolute pig at any altitude, though.

I went from a 3.8 auto on 37s and 5.38 to a 3.6L auto on the same 37s and 4.10 and there wasn’t a lot of difference at all. The 3.8 programmed to run premium fuel rated as much torque but a little less HP. I would have loved to see how the 3.8 would have performed with the Newer 5speed. I do know the 3.8 could handle a RIPP supercharger for hundreds of thousands of miles where the 3.6 cannot.

 

[rickinAZ]

Honestly, I never had a problem with my 3.8L that wasn't my fault (apparently water isn't combustible... only do that once!).

I feel like the biggest issue was the 42RLE transmission that decided to grenade itself at around 80k miles and I had to scrap everything but the housing. It shifted like crap, and had no place in a Jeep with a its 2/10 torque rating as denoted by the '2' in it's name.

With the changeover to the 3.6L they also upgraded the transmission, which in my opinion made the biggest overall difference.

I do agree that the 3.8L was an absolute pig at any altitude, though.

My tranny failed as well.

 

[leeshuming]

I am in the middle of shopping for a new 2 Dr Rubicon. I went to test drive the 2.0 (Willy's) and V6 (Rubicon automatic), as well as a manual V6 (Rubicon).

The manual V6 was absolutely the best. I had such a fun time it really made me wanting to custom order one, with 4.88. in comparison to the automatic V6, I felt I had more control, especially with the deliverance of power from the engine. I could manipulate and keep the torque (at around 3000 RPM) and was absolutely not having any lack of power issue.

However, after 10 mins, my lazy leg started to get tired, and honestly I knew I would not want to drive that manual in they city (or under heavy traffic situation).

So then i test drove the 2.0t. I did feel the turbo lag vs the slow linear power delivery of the V6. However, the 2.0 was indeed more fun to drive. I felt like driving a responsive golf cart especially when the turbo kicked in I knew there was good acceleration.

Now coming from a heavily modded 4xe, I guarantee you that neither of the ICE 2.0 or V6 could compare against the power of 4xe.

The 4xe is responsive.. it just goes from stop to instantly moving. Yes, the electric motor takes care of the slow start of the ICE 2.0 or V6, because by the time you need the turbo to explode, the electric motor has already got you started.

Edit: I am still using the 4.1 gear ratio... Don't know if I should/would need to regear.

I would absolutely get a 2dr 4xe if it is available.
Still I am in a dilemma right now, because I want the order the 2.0 but I don't want the rest of the 35" tires/lift etc.. because I know full well that I would be lifting it with specific aftermarket parts.

The V6 is not even an option for me, unless I select the manual transmission, which I know I would love and hate.

Also, I went to the Rubicon Trail in July, 23.. I ran some parts of the trail in full electric as well as just gas only.. no issues. I run 37s, 3.5" teraflex lift... And yeah, I was the only 4xe there and everyone was looking at me, amazed.

Still 2 things I hate with my 4xe are the extra weight and the location of the hybrid battery (I cannot flatten the rear seat/cargo area like the regular ICE ones).

Also, many people haven't talked about these 2 factors, but I am going to share here.

1) I have 22', my 3rd of year of ownership, I was thinking perhaps it might be a good time to upgrade to bigger brakes. However, I was stunned to find out that my brakes are still 85% good, (according to jeep services). The max Regen works flawlessly when you go downhill from off roading/or on road driving.

2) the tires just wear out faster than regular ice vehicles due to the crazy electric motor (torque).

I do go off-roading a lot, maybe 2/3 weekends per month. And I love to crawl rocks whenever it is possible.

Attached videos are at 1) The Rubicon trail (fully loaded with 3 passengers and luggages) and 2) Walker Valley ORV, Washington

Going to Moab this Summer.

And at last, the 2dr is just so much more fun.

 

[Powelligator]

This thread should really be, "What's the best total drivetrain for X given purpose..." Drivetrain being engine, transmission, final drive ratio, etc. Thing is, even at that there 87 different variables such as tire size, what altitude the Jeep lives at, etc. Makes for a fun read when everyone chimes in with their opinion though.

I'd love a 2-Door with a diesel though, but doesn't count here...

 

[Ratbert]

This thread should really be, "What's the best total drivetrain for X given purpose..." Drivetrain being engine, transmission, final drive ratio, etc. Thing is, even at that there 87 different variables such as tire size, what altitude the Jeep lives at, etc. Makes for a fun read when everyone chimes in with their opinion though.

I'd love a 2-Door with a diesel though, but doesn't count here...

I was at a local dealership yesterday helping my wife shop for a 2-door. Had to explain to the clueless sales guy that no, the 2-door isn't available in a diesel. And no, they don't make a diesel Wrangler anymore.

She knows how insanely anemic the 3.6 was in our last JLUR (we're at 7,400 feet) and she immediately said "no fucking way". That leaves the 2.0 as the only remaining option. If the 392 or EcoDiesel was available in the 2-door then either would a no-brainer.

Note that her primary concern / focus is off roading.

 

[HK1s]

me driving here in flat central Canada the 3.6 is fine. mostly city driving and farm dirt road.

One note on driving like an ass with 8 speed auto, this has nothing to do with e-torque, etorque does nothing above 1500 rpm, people complain the pedal tuning is gutless but really all you need is to give the computer a heads-up. double tap the gas and the trans down shifts and engine will start holding rev around 3k rpm, double tap again to go to 5k, you can do all the jerking forward at reasonable speed.

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